Rain hitting your roof could be the sound of savings — on utilities and water — if you have a rain barrel to capture it for use around the home.

Area residents may buy a rain barrel for $67.10 from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Shell Rock River Watershed Office at 214 W. Main St. in Albert Lea. Customers living within the Shell Rock River Watershed can receive a $10 rebate on the purchase.

Most rain barrels cost more than $100 in retail stores.

Much of the focus is on flood reduction, but the district is promoting water conservation as part of preserving long-term water use.

Diverting water from storm drains with the use of a rain barrel also decreases the effect of runoff on the watershed’s rivers and streams.

The barrels are designed specifically to capture rain runoff from a home’s gutters and drains, then hold it for use in and around the house. They also remove stress from the local water supply.

The barrel can hold roughly 54 gallons of rainwater.